Israel Abanikanda sparks offense, Sean Clifford finishes rally
Wes Hodkiewicz
INDIANAPOLIS Make the tackle. Just make the tackle.
That was the only thing running throughTyron Herring’s mind as the Packers rookie cornerback closed in on Jelani Woods on the final play of Saturday’s preseason matchup with Indianapolis.
As Jason Bean’s fourth-and-10 pass descended, Herring met the Colts tight end at the pylon and left the rest up to fate. At first glance, it looked like Woods may have pulled down the 31-yard touchdown with just a few seconds remaining. Or he might’ve been out of bounds at the 1.
Upon official review, however, it was determined he didn’t complete the catch. Herring was credited with the breakup and Green Bay completed the preseason comeback, 23-19.
“It was exhilarating,” Herring said. “Because at first, you don’t know. I’m like what happened? I wasn’t really sure. There was a long pause. Once they signaled it was out, that was awesome.”
The play sealed a rather remarkable rally for the Packers, who trailed 13-3 at halftime after a penalty-plagued start to Saturday’s preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The second half was a different story. Green Bay cleaned up its play, the offense began moving the ball more consistently and the defense held the Colts to just two second-half field goals.
But even afterSean Cliffordscrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to give Green Bay its first lead of the day late in the fourth quarter, there still were 1 minute, 31 seconds left on the clock for a Colts response.
Bean hit three quick passes for 37 yards to move Indianapolis into scoring territory before then throwing three consecutive incompletions. With the game on the line, Herring threw a wrench into the Colts’ comeback hopes.
It’s a corner route Green Bay had seen before in the game. While Woods had some initial separation, Herring quickly flew into the picture frame.
“For him to see the play develop and come hit him at the right time, he was at the right place at the right time,” cornerbackBo Meltonsaid. “He made an amazing play. For a rookie to do that, game on the line, make that play, it means he has some dawg in him. That’s what I like about him in general he has that dawg in him.”
Herring signed with Green Bay as a college free agent after playing five years at Dartmouth and Delaware. Since he was a child, the 6-foot-1, 236-pound cornerback has dreamed of having a moment like Saturday on the game’s biggest stage.
Given a chance to make a play with the game hanging in the balance, Herring put everything he could muster into stopping Woods from ripping back the victory.
“Had a mentality to finish, and we finished,” Herring said. “It’s exciting. Worked my entire life to get in this position. I’m just so thankful to God for it. This is what you play football for, make big plays.”
Clifford caps the comeback:Dating back to his time at Penn State, the Packers’ second-year quarterback has always prided himself on his ability to step up in game-winning situations.
Trailing by three with 6:38 left in regulation, Clifford led a 12-play, 68-yard scoring drive that culminated in Green Bay’s backup quarterback calling his own number on the 11-yard score.
That wasn’t the plan, though.
Clifford’s first read was receiverCornelius Johnsonon a corner route, but he got tangled up and perhaps held in the end zone. With that option unavailable, Clifford looked to the goal line and saw nothing but grass in front of him.
“Cornelius Johnson also should’ve been a touchdown,” said Clifford with a laugh. “But I appreciate him for taking that one for the team, so I could run it in.”
Running away with it:The Packers ran the ball 40 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns, which came on three consecutive series in the second half.
Israel Abanikandawas a catalyst for getting the ground game going. All but one of his 12 carries came on the same 14-play drive to start the third quarter, including five straight runs that finally produced a 3-yard touchdown to start the comeback.
“Determination, that’s my mindset is determination,” said Abanikanda, who received a game ball for his efforts. “Let’s get in there, let’s get this offense started.”
Rookie quarterbackTaylor Elgersmaand running backAmar Johnsongot the Packers moving on the next drive. Elgersma hit Cornelius Johnson on a critical 18-yard slant on fourth-and-3 prior to Amar Johnson powering in for a 9-yard touchdown.
Green Bay finished with 356 total yards while going 8-of-16 on third downs and a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth-down conversions, three of which came on the ground.
“We knew at halftime we were going to come out fighting,” Abanikanda said. “I honestly knew we were going to win today. I knew we have a lot of fight in this team and I see it.”
Cleaning it up:The penalties that hurt the Packers in the first half wound up playing a part in their path to victory.
After being called for 11 penalties for 85 yards in the first two quarters several of which were of the pre-snap variety Green Bay had just one holding call in the second half.
Conversely, the Colts’ 11 penalties for 103 yards played a major role in the Packers’ ability to sustain drives, particularly in the second half.
“It’s a game of four quarters. You can’t give up because you’re having a bad first half,” said right tackleAnthony Belton, who had back-to-back illegal formation calls in the first half. “You just gotta finish, keep stacking.”
Big for Bo:Melton lost count of how many high-fives and handshakes he received after breaking up an Anthony Richardson pass for Ashton Duhlin in the second quarter.
But it may have been as many as 20.
The receiver-turned-cornerback started against the Colts and played into the second half, finishing with three tackles.
“I felt lit. It was a good time,” said Melton of his breakup. “It felt like a touchdown for real. It just felt good to be out there.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
